History of Barcelona in Timeline
Barcelona, situated on Spain's northeastern coast, is the bustling capital of Catalonia and Spain's second-largest city. Home to 1.6 million people within its limits, its sprawling urban area, encompassing neighboring municipalities, accommodates around 4.8 million, making it the EU's fifth most populous urban zone. This prominent Mediterranean metropolis nestles between the Llobregat and Besòs river mouths, framed by the Serra de Collserola mountain range to the west.
1900: Barcelona's Population at 533,000
At the turn of the 20th century, in 1900, Barcelona had a population of 533,000.
1900: Population Demographics
In 1900, Barcelona's population distribution showed that almost a third (28.9%) were children under 14, and only 6.5% were aged 65 and older.
1920: Laboratori de Natura Becomes Zoology Museum
The Laboratori de Natura at the Castle of the Three Dragons began operating as the Zoology Museum in 1920.
1924: Martorell Museum Opens to the Public
The Martorell Museum, the original location of the Museum of Natural Sciences, opened its doors to the public as a geology museum in 1924.
1929: International Events
Barcelona hosted the 1929 Barcelona International Exposition (Expo 1929), showcasing its role as a hub for international events.
1929: Construction of Barcelona Pavilion
Mies van der Rohe's Barcelona Pavilion was constructed in 1929 for the International Exposition for Germany.
1930: Demolition of Barcelona Pavilion
The Barcelona Pavilion, a temporary structure, was demolished in 1930, less than a year after its construction.
1930: Establishment of Historical Botanical Garden of Barcelona
The Historical Botanical Garden of Barcelona was established in 1930.
1936: Spanish Civil War Begins, Barcelona Supports Republic
In 1936, the Spanish Civil War began, and Barcelona staunchly supported the Republican side.
January 1939: Barcelona Falls to Franco's Forces
In January 1939, Barcelona fell to Franco's forces, marking a turning point in the Spanish Civil War. The city's resistance had lasting effects, including the suppression of Catalan language and autonomy.
1939: Barcelona Falls to Fascist Forces
On January 26, 1939, Barcelona fell to the fascist forces led by Franco, leading to a mass exodus of civilians fleeing to the French border.
1945: Focus of Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art
The Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art focuses on Catalan and Spanish art created after 1945.
1950: Post-War Migration Boosts Barcelona's Population
Following World War II, around 1950, Barcelona experienced a surge in population as people from less industrialized parts of Spain migrated to the city.
1950: End of Catalan Modernista Architecture Period
The Catalan modernista architecture movement, which began in 1885, came to an end in 1950, leaving behind a significant architectural legacy in Barcelona.
1957: Founding of EADA Business School
EADA Business School, the first institution in Barcelona to offer manager training programs for the business community, was established in 1957.
1960: First Version of the Municipal Law
The first version of Barcelona's Municipal Law, which defines the city's governance structure, was passed in 1960.
1960: Focus of Can Framis Museum
The Can Framis Museum in Barcelona specializes in Catalan art from after 1960.
1975: Franco's Death Sparks Democratization
The death of Franco in 1975 ushered in a period of democratization in Spain. Barcelona, feeling marginalized under Franco's rule, pushed strongly for change.
September 1977: Mass Demonstrations for Catalan Autonomy
In September 1977, over a million people peacefully demonstrated in Barcelona, demanding the restoration of Catalan autonomy. Their call was answered less than a month later.
1979: Barcelona's Population Peaks at 1,906,998
Barcelona's population reached its peak in 1979, recording 1,906,998 residents.
1982: Barcelona Hosts FIFA World Cup Matches
Barcelona hosted several matches during the 1982 FIFA World Cup at two of its stadiums.
1986: Spain Joins European Community, Barcelona to Host Olympics
Two major events in 1986 shaped Barcelona's development: Spain joined the European Community, and Barcelona was chosen to host the 1992 Summer Olympics.
1986: Reconstruction of Barcelona Pavilion
A modern reconstruction of the Barcelona Pavilion, designed by Spanish architects, was erected in Barcelona in 1986.
1987: Division of Barcelona into 10 Administrative Districts
In 1987, Barcelona was reorganized into 10 administrative districts.
1987: ETA Car Bombing at Hipercor
In 1987, an ETA car bombing at the Hipercor shopping center in Barcelona resulted in the tragic deaths of 21 people.
1990: Tourism Impacts
Barcelona experienced a significant increase in tourist numbers from 1.7 million in 1990 to 32 million in 2017, leading to concerns about the sustainability of such growth.
1990: Start of Barcelona's Pre-Olympics Transformation
Between 1990 and 2004, Barcelona underwent a major transformation in preparation for the 1992 Summer Olympics. This included a surge in hotel construction, with the number of rooms doubling.
1992: Barcelona Hosts Summer Olympics
Barcelona hosted the highly successful 1992 Summer Olympics.
1992: Barcelona Hosts the Summer Olympics
In 1992, Barcelona hosted the Summer Olympics, leading to significant urban development and a boost to its international reputation.
1992: Barcelona Hosts the Olympics, Urban Regeneration Accelerates
The 1992 Summer Olympics further accelerated urban regeneration in Barcelona, boosting its international profile as a tourist destination.
1992: Barcelona Hosts Summer Olympics, Transformation Begins
The 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona spurred significant changes, transforming it from an industrial city. Industrial areas were replaced with beaches, infrastructure was improved, and tourism flourished.
1992: Renovation of Estació del Nord
The Estació del Nord, a former railway station in Barcelona, was renovated for the 1992 Olympic Games and now serves as a terminus for long-distance and regional bus services.
1992: Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys Used for the Olympics
The publicly owned Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, with a capacity of 55,926, was used for the 1992 Olympics.
1996: Population Origins
The proportion of Barcelona's population born outside of Spain more than quintupled since 1996, when it was 3.9%.
1997: Industrial Output
By 1997, the Barcelona metropolitan area concentrated 67% of Catalonia's industrial establishments, underlining its industrial significance.
1999: Founding of Botanical Garden of Barcelona
The Botanical Garden of Barcelona was founded in 1999.
1999: RIBA Royal Gold Medal Awarded to Barcelona
Barcelona received the 1999 RIBA Royal Gold Medal for its architecture, marking the first time the award was given to a city.
1999: Inauguration of L'Auditori
The Barcelona Symphony and Catalonia National Orchestra (OBC) inaugurated its new venue, L'Auditori, in 1999.
2000: Celebration of 2000 Years of Cultural Heritage
Barcelona celebrated its rich cultural heritage spanning 2000 years.
2000: Fashion Events
Barcelona became the host city for the Bread & Butter urban fashion fair in the summer of 2000, boosting the city's economy.
2000: Population Decline Reverses, Housing Prices Rise
After experiencing a decline, Barcelona's population began to rise again around 2000, as younger generations returned to the city, leading to a significant increase in housing prices.
2001: New Wave of Immigration Reverses Population Decline
After a period of decline, Barcelona's population started to rise again in 2001, fueled by a new wave of immigration, mainly from Latin America and Morocco.
2001: Population Origins
The proportion of Barcelona's population born outside of Spain more than doubled since 2001.
2002: Inauguration of Diagonal Mar Park
In 2002, the Diagonal Mar Park, spanning 13.3 hectares, was inaugurated in Barcelona.
2004: Construction of a Concrete Bathing Zone after the 2004 Universal Forum of Cultures
Following the 2004 Universal Forum of Cultures, a large concrete bathing zone was added to the easternmost section of Barcelona's coastline.
2004: Completion of Barcelona's Post-Olympics Development
By 2004, Barcelona had completed its post-Olympics development phase, marked by infrastructure improvements and a boom in tourism.
2004: International Events
In 2004, Barcelona hosted two major events: the Universal Forum of Cultures and the World Urban Forum, further solidifying its reputation for hosting globally significant gatherings.
2004: Economic Performance
Barcelona demonstrated a high GDP per capita of €80,894 in 2004, according to Eurostat.
March 2006: Approval of the Current Municipal Law
In March 2006, the current version of Barcelona's Municipal Law, which outlines the structure and powers of the city council, was approved.
2006: CosmoCaixa Receives European Museum of the Year Award
The CosmoCaixa science museum in Barcelona was bestowed with the European Museum of the Year Award in 2006.
March 2007: Launch of Bicing Bicycle Service
Barcelona's City Council launched the Bicing service, a public bicycle service, in March 2007.
May 2007: ERC Ends Coalition with PSC
Following the May 2007 election, the ERC chose not to continue its coalition agreement with the PSC, leading to the PSC governing in a minority coalition with ICV.
2007: Religious Demographics
In 2007, the majority of Barcelona's inhabitants identified as Roman Catholic, with 208 churches in the city.
2008: Barcelona's Population Density Highlighted
In 2008, Barcelona's city council calculated a population of 1,621,090 living within its 102.2 square kilometer area, highlighting its high population density of 15,926 inhabitants per square kilometer.
2008: AVE High-Speed Rail Line to Barcelona
RENFE's AVE high-speed rail system was extended from Madrid to Barcelona in 2008.
June 2009: New Terminal at Barcelona-El Prat Airport
A new terminal (T1) at Barcelona-El Prat Airport entered service in June 2009.
2009: Fashion Events
Barcelona started hosting The Brandery, an urban fashion show, twice a year from 2009.
2009: FC Barcelona Achieves Sextuple
FC Barcelona won six trophies in 2009, becoming one of only two male football teams in the world to achieve the sextuple.
2009: Economic Performance
In 2009, the greater Barcelona metropolitan area boasted a GDP of $177 billion, positioning it as the 4th most economically powerful city in the European Union by GDP and 35th globally.
2009: Catalan Education Act
The 2009 Catalan Education Act mandated Catalan as the language of instruction in public and concertades schools in Barcelona.
2009: Fashion Events
The Bread & Butter urban fashion fair, which had been hosted in Barcelona since 2000 and brought significant revenue to the city, moved back to Berlin in 2009.
2010: Barcelona Marathon
In 2010, the Barcelona Marathon, held every March, saw over 10,000 participants.
2010: Closure of Martorell Museum and Laboratori de Natura
The Martorell Museum and the Laboratori de Natura at the Castle of the Three Dragons, which served as the Zoology Museum from 1920 to 2010, closed in 2010.
May 2011: CiU Wins Municipal Election
On May 22, 2011, ending a 32-year streak, CiU secured the most seats in the municipal election, winning 15 seats compared to PSC's 11.
2011: Merger of Barcelona's Natural Science Museums
In 2011, five institutions merged to form the Museum of Natural Sciences of Barcelona.
2011: Religious Demographics
A 2011 survey by InfoCatólica revealed a shift in Barcelona's religious landscape, with only 49.5% of residents identifying as Catholic, reflecting a broader trend in Spain.
2011: Tourism
Barcelona attracted 5.5 million international visitors in 2011, ranking as the 20th most visited city globally and the 5th in Europe.
2012: Barcelona Becomes a Top Tourist Destination
By 2012, Barcelona had solidified its position as a top tourist destination, ranking 12th globally and 5th in Europe, a testament to its successful transformation.
2012: Fashion Events
The Brandery, an urban fashion show, was held biannually in Barcelona until 2012.
2013: Barcelona Hosts World Aquatics Championships
Barcelona hosted the 2013 World Aquatics Championships at the Palau San Jordi.
2013: Port of Barcelona Container Trade Volume
The Port of Barcelona had a trade volume of 1.72 million TEUs in 2013, making it Europe's ninth-largest container port at the time.
2013: FC Barcelona Museum Visitor Numbers
The FC Barcelona Museum welcomed 1.51 million visitors in 2013, ranking it as the third most popular tourist attraction in Catalonia.
2013: Barcelona Harbour Cruise Passenger Numbers
The Barcelona Harbour welcomed 3.6 million pleasure cruise passengers in 2013.
2013: Linguistic Census Reveals Language Use in Barcelona
A linguistic census conducted by the Government of Catalonia in 2013 provided insights into language use in Barcelona, revealing the prevalence of both Spanish and Catalan.
2013: High-Speed Rail Connecting Barcelona and France
A high-speed rail line connecting Barcelona and France (Paris, Marseilles, and Toulouse) was launched in 2013.
2014: Recognition and Economic Potential
Barcelona earned recognition as the "Southern European City of the Future" for 2014/15 by FDi Magazine, highlighting its promising economic prospects.
2014: Religious Demographics
In 2014, Barcelona had a sizable Muslim population, with 322,698 individuals (5.6% of the province's population) identifying as Muslim, largely attributed to immigration, particularly from Morocco.
2015: Barcelona Designated as UNESCO City of Literature
Barcelona was designated as a UNESCO City of Literature in 2015, recognizing its rich literary culture and heritage.
2015: Tourism
By 2015, both Prague and Milan surpassed Barcelona in terms of international visitor numbers.
2015: Barcelona Remains the Only City to Win RIBA Royal Gold Medal
As of 2015, Barcelona remained the only city to have been awarded the RIBA Royal Gold Medal.
2015: Sagrada Família Completion Date Projection
As of 2015, the planned completion date for the Sagrada Família was 2026.
2015: Fashion Recognition
Barcelona earned its place as the seventh most important fashion capital globally in 2015, according to the Global Language Monitor's annual ranking, surpassing Berlin.
2015: Livability and Innovation
Barcelona ranked high in livability in 2015, securing the 24th spot globally according to Monocle magazine. It also excelled in innovation, ranking 13th on the Innovation Cities Global Index by 2thinknow.
January 2016: Barcelona's Population Reaches 1,608,746
As of January 1, 2016, Barcelona's population stood at 1,608,746, according to the city council.
March 2016: Tourism Infrastructure
As of March 2016, Barcelona boasted 519 hotels, including 35 five-star establishments, demonstrating its developed tourism infrastructure.
2016: Safety and Security
Despite its popularity with tourists, Barcelona was recognized as the 15th safest city globally by Business Insider in 2016 due to effective policing strategies that led to a 32% drop in crime over three years.
2016: Population Origins
In 2016, the majority (59%) of Barcelona's residents were born in Catalonia, while 18.5% were from other parts of Spain. Interestingly, 22.5% were born outside of Spain, indicating increasing immigration.
May 2017: Overtourism Concerns
In May 2017, Barcelona was featured among "Eight Places That Hate Tourists the Most" by The Independent, highlighting growing concerns about overtourism and its impact on the city's identity.
August 2017: Terrorist Attack on La Rambla
On August 17, 2017, a terrorist attack on La Rambla, Barcelona, left 14 dead and over 100 injured. The attack, attributed to ISIL, shook the city and the world.
2017: Population Demographics
By 2017, Barcelona saw a significant shift in its age demographics. Children under 14 made up only 12.7% of the population, while those aged 65 and older rose to 21.5%.
2017: Tourism Impacts
The surge in tourism, with visitor numbers increasing from 1.7 million in 1990 to 32 million in 2017, led to protests from residents concerned about the impact on housing costs and overcrowding.
2018: Barcelona-El Prat Airport Passenger Traffic
Barcelona-El Prat Airport handled more than 50.17 million passengers in 2018, demonstrating a consistent upward trend in passenger traffic.
2019: Religious Demographics
A 2019 survey by Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas showed that 53.2% of Barcelona's residents identified as Catholic, with 9.9% being practicing and 43.3% non-practicing.
2020: FC Bayern Munich Matches FC Barcelona's Sextuple
FC Bayern Munich became the second male football team in the world to win the sextuple, matching FC Barcelona's achievement from 2009.
2020: Livability and Innovation
The Global Wealth and Lifestyle Report 2020 identified Barcelona as one of the world's most affordable cities for a luxurious lifestyle.
July 2023: Barcelona Named UNESCO-UIA World Capital of Architecture
In July 2023, Barcelona was designated as the UNESCO-UIA World Capital of Architecture for 2024-2026. The city will become a hub for discussing global challenges related to architecture, urban planning, and culture.
2024: Barcelona's Tenure as World Capital of Architecture Begins
Barcelona's tenure as the UNESCO-UIA World Capital of Architecture will commence in 2024, highlighting its architectural heritage and innovation.
2026: Barcelona to Host UIA World Congress of Architects
In 2026, culminating its tenure as World Capital of Architecture, Barcelona will host the prestigious UIA World Congress of Architects.